Anyone Use Rentalcars.com?

Old Apr 13th, 2017, 01:39 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,652
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 1 Post
Anyone Use Rentalcars.com?

I'm planning on renting a car in Scotland with rentalcars.com. Very good rate. I have a question about some of their conditions:
Identification
"Two additional forms of ID are required to confirm home address, one of which must be a statement for the card being used for the deposit at the car hire counter. The other should be a formal document (utility bill, council tax bill, etc). These must be dated within the last 3 months.

Address Requirements
An address check may need to be conducted before the car can be released.

Travel Documents
International customers must provide travel documentation confirming dates of arrival in and departure from the UK."


Is this usual with them?
Thanks!
yestravel is offline  
Old Apr 13th, 2017, 01:50 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,416
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
They are part of Priceline Group so total legit.
Alec is offline  
Old Apr 13th, 2017, 01:53 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,704
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
When you book you are actually using hertz, europcar etc so they are probably covering their a.rse, saying that why not bring an electricity bill just to be sure

I've used them before and never had a problem, just booked them again from Heathrow
Geordie is offline  
Old Apr 13th, 2017, 03:05 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,302
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/rentalcars.cfm

Now I had never ever had to show a utility bill anywhere except at the recycling dump.
WoinParis is offline  
Old Apr 13th, 2017, 06:18 PM
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,652
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 1 Post
Thanks!
WoinParis, did you provide any of the other info mentioned? Lke a copy of the credit card bill with address?
yestravel is offline  
Old Apr 14th, 2017, 02:21 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,302
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
No. Actually last time i did the booking and wife picked up the car.
But I will be held liable if you have problems !
However it sounds crazy to ask for a utility bill.
WoinParis is offline  
Old Apr 14th, 2017, 05:22 AM
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,652
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 1 Post
Thanks! I think they want verification of your address, thus a bill. Just seems strange to ask for.
yestravel is offline  
Old Apr 14th, 2017, 06:23 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,418
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Those ID requirements are really only applicable to UK residents. Brits don’t have ID cards and may not have a passport. To check identity there is a recognised list of documents that may be requested when businesses want to confirm a customer’s name and address. These are the sort of documents needed to open a bank account for example.

The car rental firm wants to know who is renting the car. As a non UK resident you won’t be expected to supply these – your passport will suffice.
sofarsogood is offline  
Old Apr 14th, 2017, 07:06 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,629
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
sofarsogood is right -- those documents are for locals. They will NOT ask a foreign visitor for a utility bill or any other such thing. Your drivers license and passport is it.
janisj is online now  
Old Apr 14th, 2017, 07:27 AM
  #10  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,652
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 1 Post
Thanks! What about this section
"Travel Documents
International customers must provide travel documentation confirming dates of arrival in and departure from the UK."


I can show them my reservation online, but that's about it.
yestravel is offline  
Old Apr 14th, 2017, 07:30 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,629
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
They likely won't ask you for that on the day. But just having a printout of your flights is a good thing to have -- wouldn't you have that anyway???
janisj is online now  
Old Apr 14th, 2017, 07:33 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,418
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The car rental firm wants to know who is hiring the car
sofarsogood is offline  
Old Apr 14th, 2017, 09:26 AM
  #13  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,652
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 1 Post
janis - unless we have a complicated flight itn I don't print out anything. Its never happened, but if my iphone didn't work I can go to the counter with id and they can pull up the flight.

sofarsogood -- "The car rental firm wants to know who is hiring the car " I think they have that via the form that is filled out to get the car. Then they have one's driver's license and if they want the passport. I think they are verifying you are who you say you are. Just seems its overkill, but so be it.

Thanks all for your responses.
yestravel is offline  
Old Apr 14th, 2017, 09:33 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,418
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
"I think they have that via the form that is filled out to get the car."

not really - anyone can fill a form out giving a name and address but how would they know it's genuine. They need to verify the customer's name and address. They do that by asking for certain documents - in your case your passport. For other customers it's utility documents.
sofarsogood is offline  
Old Apr 14th, 2017, 11:42 AM
  #15  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,652
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 1 Post
Passports don't have addresses. Driver's license do and one would think that would suffice if that is what they want. So the request for additional documents just seemed strange to me. We rent cars regularly all over the world, but never in UK. I will be interested to see what they ask to see when we pick up the car next month.
yestravel is offline  
Old Apr 16th, 2017, 05:55 AM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've been renting cars in the UK for decades and have never been asked for utility bills and the like. Passport & credit card suffice, no matter what the T&Cs say. The utility bills are likely needed for those who pay by debit card.
In the UK, a UK drivers licence with current address is both proof of ID and address, the passport is proof of ID only.

As for travel documentation, this is not needed either, for anyone. Mostly you put your arrival flight info into the booking so if that flight is delayed, the rental company knows about.
Odin is offline  
Old Apr 16th, 2017, 06:01 AM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The only company I have ever seen asking for these documents is Europcar. As a member of their travel club they already have enough information on me so I have never been asked and as an international visitor, presumably picking up at an airport, neither will you. As others have said your contract is not with rental cars itself but the named rental company as shown on your confirmation, a credit card in your name and passport will suffice
alanbowen is offline  
Old Apr 16th, 2017, 07:16 AM
  #18  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,652
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 1 Post
Thanks for the reassurance.
Yes, Rentalcars.com is a consolidator similar to AutoEurope which I use most of the time. Rentalcars.com had a lower rate and no drop off fee, so went with them and was surprsied when I read their T&C which they wisely summarize before you push the final button. They also have a pop up with the T&C summarized when you print off your voucher which also made me think they mean business. One of the requirements for UK'ers is
"DVLA Clauses & Rules
If you hold a UK driving licence, the counter staff will need to check your driving record when you pick your car up. There are three ways they can do this:
By checking your ‘licence summary’ printout from the DVLA website
By visiting the website and using your licence ‘check code’
By calling the DVLA on 0044 300 790 6801 (Monday to Friday 08:00 - 19:00; Saturday 08:00 - 14:00 GMT)."

My rental is with Hertz.
yestravel is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mclaurie
United States
5
Mar 21st, 2005 09:50 AM
Sharion
Europe
5
May 30th, 2004 08:02 AM
ncgrrl
United States
8
Apr 30th, 2003 11:48 AM
Tom
United States
60
Feb 16th, 2003 08:09 AM
Sandi
United States
9
Jul 18th, 2002 05:19 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -